10 Things Raw Food Dieters Know That You Don’t

The Secrets Behind Eating Raw

Though menus vary among those who follow raw foodism — some are strictly vegan, while others follow a raw version of the Paleo diet — the general consensus is that foods are never heated above 116 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The diet is grounded in the belief that heating foods above this temperature not only kills off enzymes and bacteria that are beneficial to digestion, but also causes much of the nutritional value to be lost in the cooking process. You may not be willing to turn the grill off for good, but we can all take some tips from raw foodies on how to give the oven a break, get creative in the kitchen, and eat meals that are a little closer to nature.

The Blender is Good for More Than Smoothies

In a raw foodie’s kitchen, the blender really gets a workout — granting it permanent counter space allows for churning out super healthy versions of a wide variety of recipes, from soups and sauces to dips and puddings. Start thinking of your blender as a go-to appliance – a major time-saver when creating nutritious, flavorful meals. This Chilled Cucumber Avocado Soup is a great place to start: Simply throw the six ingredients (most of which are already in your pantry) into the blender, then pop it in the freezer for a vibrant, tasty appetizer that’ll really wow guests at your next summer gathering.

No-Cook Breakfasts are the Easiest

Finding time to whip up a healthy breakfast in the morning can be tough for many, especially in the summer months when typical heated recipes like oatmeal and omelets feel too heavy. What those on a raw diet know is that some of the easiest recipes to fuel your morning require no cooking at all, use few ingredients, and can be made in minutes. This Raw Porridge takes just five minutes to whip up and is a hearty meal with 10 grams of protein and 21 grams of fiber. Or prepare your breakfast the night before with this 3-ingredient recipe: Simply mix together milk, oats, and chia seeds and pop in the fridge. In the morning, top your porridge with fruit and nuts, and dig in!

You Can Ditch the Sugar, But Not the Sweetness

Baked goods like cookies, brownies, and cake are often the first to go from the dessert table. While they may be the most popular desserts, they also tend to be high in sugar, calories, and fat, placing them in the guilty pleasure category. But what if we told you that the sweet ending to your meal can actually be nutritious and guilt-free? It is for raw foodies! Without processed sugar as an option, raw foodies get creative with wholesome ingredients like figs and dates to add a punch of sweetness. Give it a try with this Raw Brownie recipe — with just 5 simple ingredients and no oven required, it’s easier than a boxed mix!

Homemade Dressing is Way More Flavorful Than Bottled

Salad dressing can be a sneaky culprit, turning perfectly healthy salads into calorie- and sugar-laden meals. If you think opting for oil and vinegar is your only option, it’s time to consult our raw foodie friends. They’ve mastered homemade dressings, utilizing fruit and veggies to create fresh, flavor-packed dressings that are way more exciting than bottled varieties. This Clean Eating Watermelon Vinaigrette has a vibrant hue and adds a dash of sweetness that really livens up salad greens. Blend up a batch and keep it stored in the fridge.

Fruit Is the Ultimate Dessert

When it comes to appeasing your sweet tooth, fruit is all you need. Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean fruit salad is all that’s on the menu. Those following the raw food diet know the importance of keeping food interesting, and dessert is no exception: They enjoy exciting and delicious treats — without any added sugars or artificial ingredients — with recipes like this Tropical Sun Sorbet. Made with just three fruits, it has the sweet, creamy goodness of ice cream but no fat – plus a major dose of vitamins.

You Can Make a Gorgeous Meal for Guests - Without the Oven

Do dinner parties conjure up repressed memories of hours spent slaving over a hot stove? Put down the potholder and step away from the oven! You can put together a fun, delicious meal without any preheating, boiling, or sautéing. A raw meal is totally unexpected, tastes fresh, and looks great on the table. Start with this colorful Chop Chop Salad, which is all about the presentation: Use a large cookie cutter to arrange in a perfect circle or spoon into margarita glasses. Then serve up some Raw Vegan Lasagna as your main course — the recipe looks and tastes fancy, but is no sweat to stack up. Finish the meal with Raw Brownies or Tropical Sun Sorbet!

Getty Images

The Importance of Alkaline Foods

Raw foodies tend to put a strong emphasis on eating alkaline foods. What does this mean? Our blood levels hover right in the middle of the pH scale (which measures acidity), and some believe there are health benefits to promoting alkalinity in the body by embracing certain foods (green leafy veggies, herbs and spices, fruits, wheat grass) and avoiding those that are acid-producing (meats, processed foods, sugar, grains). While others claim the body is capable of balancing its own pH (and that food has little effect), we say that regardless of your stance, the healthful, whole foods hyped as alkaline are always welcome in our diets; it’s never a bad thing to add more fruits and veggies! Replacing some of the “acidic” foods (which tend to be higher in calories and fat) with those from the alkaline list will inevitably cut calories and increase your nutrient intake.

Condiments Can Be Healthy

While condiments aren’t typically celebrated for their health benefits, some of them have nutritional panels that are downright scary (for instance, one tablespoon of mayonnaise has 10 grams of fat, and ketchup is notoriously high in sugar). With processed varieties off-limits, those on a raw food diet are forced to get creative — and what they’ve discovered is that condiments are not only super easy to create at home, but can actually be a nutritious add-on to your meal. This Raw Sour Cream uses protein-packed cashews as its base; all you need is five easy ingredients and a blender. Be sure to keep Avocado Mayonnaise and Raw Ketchup in your recipe box, too.

What to Do With Nuts

We all know nuts are a healthy snack, but raw foodists have learned to put the nutritional powerhouses to work in the kitchen, using them to make everything from homemade energy bars to cheese and milk. Start experimenting with nuts in the kitchen by skipping processed snack bars and going homemade instead with these Cranberry Chia Energy Bars. With just seven ingredients and a food processor, you can whip up healthy bars that are just as convenient to grab and go as store-bought varieties, but without the laundry list of unpronounceable ingredients.

Smoothies Taste Great in Bowls

We’re all fans of smoothies, but while you’re sipping yours from a glass, raw foodies have a little secret: They taste even better in bowls. Changing up your serving dish makes smoothies feel more substantial (things just seem more filling when you eat them with a spoon!) and opens up a world of toppings, since you no longer have to worry about sipping through a straw. Get inspired by this Vegan Berry Crunch Smoothie Bowl, then be creative and try experimenting with toppings to create your own unique bowl. Simply start with your favorite smoothie recipe as the base, then pile ‘em on — sliced fruit, nuts, coconut chips, and chia seeds are all fair game.

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

Advertising Notice

This Site and third parties who place advertisements on this Site may collect and use information about
your visits to this Site and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of
interest to you. If you would like to obtain more information about these advertising practices and to make
choices about online behavioral advertising, please click here.